Wheat Berries – Long Term Storage – Part 3

Long-Term Survival Food Storage: Whole Wheat Berries

Making Bread from Home Ground Wheat

I have been learning about food storage for a while now. I finally decided to start using Hard White Wheat and grinding it at home. I got a hand wheat grinder to see how I liked it. The verdict is in….LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! The bread is amazing! Now I know that every Sunday will be bread day around our house. The recipe I used is below. It’s a basic bread recipe. The dough can be used for many things though. Of course bread but also dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, pizza crust, you name it. I hope you try it and let me know how it turns out for you.

BASIC WHITE BREAD
Ingredients : 2 cups warm water (110 degrees) 1/3 cup white sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 6 cups bread flour
(The recipe does not call for dough enhancer but I included it. You’ll see in the video)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in the yeast. It must sit to proof for about 10 minutes. It will develop a creamy foam.
2. Once the yeast is proofed, mix the oil and salt into it.
3. Mix in one cup of flour at a time. Once it forms a dough turn it out on a counter covered lightly with flour and knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
4. Place in a well oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil.
5. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until double in size, about an hour.
6. Punch the dough down and knead for a few minutes more. Divide in half. Roll out each half into a rectangle. Roll each rectangle jelly roll fashion and place seam side down in a lightly greased bread pan. Allow it to rise another 30 minutes or so until it fills the pan or is 1 inch above the edge.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Easy Wheat Sprouting nothing special needed

Wheat can be stored easily for decades and is highly recommended for storage. Sprouting is one simple way to harness it’s nutrition. You don’t need anything special to do this and it takes only minutes of your time. For full nutrition check Nutrition Data’s website. For ongoing info, blogs and other things related to survival and preparedness visit our website. wildernessinnovation com

These delicious pancakes are full of yumminess and goodness. They are moist in the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Berries give you some juicy explosion in every bite. They are perfect for breakfast.

Bulk Food Storage Containers jpg / eb6tracker.com

Guest Post by Dan Sullivan

Let me ask you a question, when was the last time you read an article on survival food and said to yourself:

Yeah, I almost forgot about this food… It’s perfect! I’ll definitely get me some?

Although there are plenty of lists with survival food on the Internet, a lot of preppers are missing a few good ones that have amazing shelf life (if properly stored, usually in cool, dark, dry places, away from rodents).

That’s what I want to do in this article so here’s my list of foods that ultimately allow you to rotate your stockpile less often…

#1. Spam

You either love it or hate spam but I think we can all agree most people like it, right? First of all, Spam is a brand. Its main ingredients are pork, ham, potato starch and salt and it became popular during World War 2 because of it has great shelf life (which, according to the manufacturer, is infinite).

The really cool thing is that it’s also dirt cheap, around 5 to 10 bucks for a can on Amazon.

#2. Hardtack crackers

Put whole wheat flour, water and salt together and you’ve got crackers with 50+ years of shelf life! Amazing, right (as long as you store them well)? As their name suggests, these crackers are pretty hard to chew on. You’ll need to soak them in water, milk or even soup for at least 5-10 minutes before eating them.

#3. Pemmican

This is another fantastic food that lasts a very long time. How long depends on the storage conditions and the quality of the ingredients. Again, lots of recipes out there, you just need look them up.

#4. Canned Pink Salmon

I say pink salmon because it has one of the highest shelf lives of all canned foods: 3 to 5 years. Obviously, you can extend it even more if you store it under the right conditions, in a cool, dark place, away from moisture etc.

If you want, you can make your own at home but you will need a pressure canner, the jars need to be sterile, the lids have to be brand new and the recipe has to be followed to the letter. One wrong move and you could compromise your cans.

#5. Wheat berries

I’m not sure you noticed but the first four foods from the list don’t need to be cooked in order to be eaten. This is great if you’re worried that the smell might give you away in a post-SHTF situation where food will be scarce.

However, there are other foods with amazing shelf life, such as berries, that do require you start your propane stove.

Wheat berries are, in fact, the kernel of the grain except for the hull. Few people know that they have a much longer shelf life than flour, which is why I’m adding them to this list. White flour is good, it will last you 8 to 12 months, more if you store it properly. That’s more than enough if you rotate your stockpile once or twice a year.

But if you’re really looking to hit maximize shelf life, you might as well store it in the form of wheat berries. Just put them in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and then everything in food-grade buckets.

Of course, in order to turn them into flour, you’re gonna need a hand cranked grinder… and that’s something that may be a little harder to find one post-collapse.

#6. Dried pinto beans

OK, so pretty much all dried beans are going to last a very long time in proper conditions but I did promise you foods with an unbelievable shelf life, right?

A 2005 study by Larson, Sloan, Ogden and Pike found that dried pinto beans retain “total protein quality” over long periods of time. Of course, you’re gonna want to eat them long before the maximum 30 year shelf life they can give you. They’ll be as hard as a rock and you’re probably going to need a pressure canner to cook them.

#7. Dehydrated potato slices

These potato slices can last 25 years according to some manufacturers. It makes sense, since they have 0 fat and enough sodium. You can make your own potato slices at home, of course, but you can also just buy them and keep them in their original containers.

Well, this is it for now; I hope I’ve given you some pretty good ideas on what foods to add to your stockpile. Just remember that stockpiling them is not an excuse for you to rotate your stockpile less frequently simply because you’ll know they last long. Rotating your stash is important to make sure that, when it hits, your preps will last you as long as you need them to.

Another thing you need to remember is to not neglect your other preps such as water, medicine, tools, clothes and so on. Stockpiling is comfortable and easy but you’ll also need to focus on your skills, for instance.

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How to (and how not to) Dehydrate Potatoes February 2013

Once again, one of my “oops!” videos (a specialty of mine) makes it to youtube. Why? Because that’s how we all learn. No matter how much or how long you’ve been doing something, you still have one of those days or moments every once in awhile when you just KNEW you should have done something different, but you didn’t. . . and there you go. A teaching moment is born. : ) Now, do as I say, not as I did. LOL.

Being well-nourished during a disaster can mean the difference between powering through the event with strength, stamina and energy or plodding through the situation barely able to put one foot in front of the other.

One often overlooked component of the prepper’s pantry is protein. This vital nutrient:

Helps with the repair and building of muscle tissue

Helps the body heal from injuries

Provides long-lasting stamina

Helps boost the immune system

Protein is stored throughout the body. It can be found in muscles, bones, hemoglobin, myoglobin, hormones, antibodies, and enzymes. In fact, protein makes up nearly 45% of the human body. Without a steady supply, body functions will cease to operate effectively.

Protein is often thought of as one of the more challenging items to stockpile for an extended period of time. Most people think of a freezer full of juicy steaks and roasts when they contemplate protein. They feel that the next resort is tins of highly processed meat pieces. The good news is, there are many ways to add muscle-building nutrients to your long term food storage without resorting to a sodium laden closet full of Spam.

Although pantry basics such as dry non-fat milk powder and powdered cheeses offer protein for the diet, there are other food sources to consider. Here are the top 5 healthy (and tasty) protein sources to add to your stockpile:

Beans

Beans are more than just a vegetarian staple. While beans can stand on their own as a delicious protein source, adding beans to a dish that contains meat can stretch your budget by providing lots of protein while using less meat.

Due to their high fiber content, beans prevent blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making this food source an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. Having a high fiber food source also helps to slow the rate of absorption of carbohydrate thus making it a more energy efficient food source.

Dried beans provide the most bang for your food storage buck. They are one of the most low cost food sources on the market. The canned variety will prove to be more fuel efficient. Canned beans can often be purchased on sale. Plain canned beans and beans in barbecue sauce can provide instant nutrition in the event of a power outage. If you don’t want to eat beans that have been processed, it’s easy to can your own. Click here for directions on preserving homemade pork and beans.

The Chia seedis a tiny little powerhouse that can add a lot of benefits to your long-term food storage while only taking up a small amount of space. The word “Chia” is actually the Mayan word for strength. In ancient cultures, they are considered the food of the warrior because of their nutrient density and ability to sustain running messengers for long durations without other food.

Chia seeds have double the amount of protein found in other seeds, as well as many other nutritional benefits.

2x the protein of other seeds

5x the calcium of milk

2x the potassium of bananas

3x the antioxidants of blueberries

3x the iron of spinach

Chia seeds can be sprinkled dry on top of other foods, they can be sprouted or they can be soaked to create a tasteless gel to stir into soups or sauces.

Chia seeds can be stored for 2-4 years in a cool, dry place. They can be stored in large glass jars or Mylar bags.

Click here to learn more about the nutritional value and uses of Chia seeds.

Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said, “I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best” (Quotery.com). Some people falsely believe that being prepared is the sort of thing that is only reserved for fear mongerers and doomsday enthusiasts. However, being prepared does not mean that you want the worst to happen. On the contrary, it means that, although you hope for the best, you are simply ready for anything that might come your way. In the same way that you get insurance in case your health declines, it is important to take out your own “insurance policy” for every area in your life. This might include food storage, home repairs, budgeting, or any number of tasks.

Large-Scale Disasters

The most common motivator for people when it comes to preparedness is the type of disaster that gains international attention. Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and all manner of natural disasters have a habit of igniting the prepping spark in many people. Such occurrences are often unpredictable and can leave hundreds of people without homes or even, sadly, their loved ones. However, even those on the outskirts of a disaster can suffer dire consequences. At the very least, they may be trapped in their homes for days on end, perhaps without power or water. This is where your emergency food and water comes in handy.

Smaller Catastrophes

However, although these are the ones which gain the most attention, natural disasters are not the only, and certainly not the most common, reason for needing to keep certain emergency items in your home. You might not have considered it before, but a sudden job loss could come from nowhere and make it extremely difficult to feed yourself and your family.

Image from Marotta’s website warning investors to prepare a “bug-out” bag in case of a fiscal…

A top financial advisor, worried that Obamacare, the NSA spying scandal and spiraling national debt is increasing the chances for a fiscal and social disaster, is recommending that Americans prepare a “bug-out bag” that includes food, a gun and ammo to help them stay alive.

David John Marotta, a Wall Street expert and financial advisor and Forbes contributor, said in a note to investors, “Firearms are the last item on the list, but they are on the list. There are some terrible people in this world. And you are safer when your trusted neighbors have firearms.”

His memo is part of a series addressing the potential for a “financial apocalypse.” His view, however, is that the problems plaguing the country won’t result in armageddon. “There is the possibility of a precipitous decline, although a long and drawn out malaise is much more likely,” said the Charlottesville, Va.-based president of Marotta Wealth Management.

Marotta said that many clients fear an end-of-the-world scenario. He doesn’t agree with that outcome, but does with much of what has people worried.

As people who spend a lot of time focusing on preparedness, we can learn a lot about our future by watching as the economies and civilizations of other Western countries crumble.

Today’s lesson is that when times get tough, the government can and will persecute those who have planned ahead.

The Attorney General of Venezuela, Luisa Ortega Díaz, called on prosecutors to target people who are “hoarding” basic staples with serious sanctions.

She called on prosecutors to seek their detention.

The attorney general called on people to remain calm, not to fall for provocations, and not to be afraid of the “alleged” food shortage.

Based on the figures provided by the Central Bank of Venezuela, shortage hit 20% in August; in other words, 20 out 100 items are missing from the shelves.

According to a press release, the Attorney General Office has designated an ad hoc group of prosecutors to work nationwide with other authorities and cope with the threats against food security and, consequently, against the State. (source)

So basically, the Venezuelan government intends to treat those who prepared ahead of time like domestic terrorists…sound familiar?

Last February the South American country responded to soaring inflation with some crippling economic strategies.

Argentine President Cristina Kirchner responded to her country’s sky-rocketing inflation rates by freezing prices on food, a move Forbes magazine says will soon lead to widespread corruption in the business community and government.

In Venezuela, where President Hugo Chavez has attempted to control all aspects of his country’s economy, price freezes instituted on essential goods like diapers and cleaning products over a year ago failed to curb soaring inflation which registered at over 22% last year. In response, with their quiver out of arrows, the Venezuelan government announced today that they are devaluing their national currency, the Bolivar, by over a third. The announcement had the immediate impact of increasing the price for a US dollar in Bolivar by nearly 50%. (source)

It should be clear from the laws that are already in effect that the government has given itself a legal pretext for confiscating anything they so choose in the midst of an emergency.

Should an emergency befall the United States, the military, national guard, and local police operating under orders from the Department of Homeland Security will have carte blanche to do as they please.

In a widespread emergency where supply lines have been threatened and millions of Americans are without essential resources because they failed to prepare, the government will swoop in and attempt to take complete control.

They will enter our homes and search them without a warrant. They will confiscate contraband. And they will take any ‘excessive resources’ that you may have accumulated. This includes food, toiletries, precious metals and anything else emergency planners and officials deem to be a scarce material. (source)

The Importance of OPSEC

By all means, don’t stop preparing. But be aware that everything you do online leaves a trail. Every purchase you make that is not a cash transaction can be traced right to your doorstep. It is vital to practice OPSEC (Operational Security) by keeping your preparedness related activities on the down low. Preparedness and self-sufficiency author Tess Pennington warns that in a crisis situation, things you said months or years ago could come back to haunt you.

A person should think twice about telling others about any prepping investments they have made. If a SHTF scenario occurred, anything said previously can be used against that prepper. For example, if you tell your neighbor you have silver coins stashed away, if times were desperate enough, that neighbor could turn on you. Keeping quiet about what one does is second nature to some. But for others that are new to the idea of prepping, they do not see the whole SHTF picture. If one person tells another about their preps, one person could tell another person about what preps their neighbor has. Then, the word spreads throughout; especially when a severe situation occurs. People will remember what you have told them, and come to you for help (if they are unprepared). Helping a neighbor or family member in need is a noble deed. However, those preparedness items are an investment for you and your family; and therefore, no one outside of the family should know what you have (unless you want that person to know). (source)

Time is short. Our economy is collapsing before our very eyes. We’ve been blatantly warned about the potential for total grid failure. If you aren’t prepared, there is little time left. Maintain your freedom by becoming self sufficient. Get started now to put together a one year food supply – but be discreet because you just don’t know when that supply may make you an outlaw.

Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor. Her website, The Organic Prepper, where this article fist appeared,offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email her at daisy@theorganicprepper.ca

1. Any canned vegetable or fruit that you do not like. Don’t assume you will fall in love with slimy, aged canned apricots five years from now if you detest apricots now! Canned veggies and fruits aren’t nearly as tasty as fresh versions, so if you decide to store them, make sure you really like them.

2. Tuna. I know that canned tuna is a staple in many food pantries. However, I’ve discovered that after a couple of years, canned tuna becomes mushy. Now, if you love the taste of tuna, you may not mind the mushy version, but for me, I really didn’t like it. Also, reports from a year ago found that every single bluefin tuna caught in the Pacific Ocean, in a study, was contaminated by radiation from Fukushima. I don’t know what the current status is of radiation in bluefin tuna, but I’d rather not store it in our food pantry.

3. Flour. As flour ages, it can develop a stale, rancid smell. Additionally, it likely contains the microscopic eggs of flour weevils, which will hatch at some point. To get the longest possible shelf life out of flour, first place it in an airtight container and freeze it for about a week. This will kill the insect eggs. Then, before storing it, add an oxygen absorber or two, depending on the size of the container. Still, you can expect a shelf life of 18 months or so from flour, which is why most preppers prefer to store wheat.

4. Saltine crackers. Just for fun, take a sleeve of saltine crackers out of the box and set them aside, at room temperature, for 3 or 4 months. You’ll never get over the stench of rancid saltines! If you must, you could store them in an airtight container with oxygen absorbers, or learn how to make them from scratch. Buy and enjoy saltines but do rotate through them and don’t depend on a giant stash staying fresh a year from now.

5. Graham crackers. I didn’t think our family favorite, graham crackers, could go bad, but they do go rancid with time. Again, you can repackage them in an airtight container using oxygen absorbers, but that’s a lot of extra work. You can also store the ingredients to make homemade graham crackers. Have an extra 3 or 4 boxes around is quite fine. Just remember to rotate and use up the oldest crackers first, while storing the newly purchased crackers for later.

Pancake mix (Sometimes these are packaged directly inside the cardboard box without any type of inner plastic bag.)

Pasta, rice, and potato convenience mixes, such as Rice-a-Roni, Pasta-Roni, instant potatoes, scalloped potato mixes, etc. (These may either have microscopic insect eggs inside the package already and/or be invaded by insects and rodents from the outside.)

Most anything else that is packaged in flimsy plastic bags and/or cardboard. This type of packaging is not intended for long-term storage, but that doesn’t mean the food inside can’t have a longer shelf life if repackaged correctly.

Repackaging instructions

Most everything on this list will do very well packaged by any of these procedures:

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